Farmers’ Markets and a Great Blog

In the course of a day, quite a few e-mails find their way into my inbox. Newsletters from all over, press releases from public relations firms, publishers and myriad others, queries from writers, articles, links, and, of course, office-generated messages.

One of those newsletters comes from American Farmland Trust, and the latest edition of Farm Fresh News includes a notice concerning the 2010 America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest (we mentioned it in our April 9 issue of GRIT eNEWS, our electronic newsletter – see our homepage to sign up) as well as a link to a wonderful blog, What Gives, Betty Londergan’s 365-day journey “of putting my money where my mouth is.”

AFT provides a packet of info for managers of farmers’ markets, giving them the opportunity to sign up for the contest and clearing the way for customers to begin voting on June 1. As the AFT material states: “Entering your market in the contest will engage customers, generate local pride, raise the local visibility of your market, increase awareness of farmers markets, local food and farmland protection, and you will have a chance to win a prizes that will help promote your market in your community.”

Sounds like a win-win to me. Oh, and there’s a free webinar May 18 for market managers to help with the particulars of the contest.

We’ll bring you the results at the end of the season. Don’t forget to frequent your local farmers’ market, uh, frequently! There’s nothing like local produce to get those tastebuds humming.

Another great mention in the American Farmland Trust’s Farm Fresh News (you can sign up by clicking here) is a note about Betty’s blog, What Gives. Using an inheritance, the former advertising specialist has decided to give back by giving $100 each day to a person, place or cause in which she has a personal connection. She’s passionate about the causes she is supporting, including American Farmland Trust (see her April 7 post), Casa Amiga (the May 5 entry), BLISS (Business and Life Skills School in Attock, Pakistan, mentioned in the March 31 post), Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Atlanta (February 28 post), and many more.

Her posts are witty, thoughtful, passionate, well-written, interesting and eye-opening. I’ve bookmarked the site, and I’ll make it a daily stop.

Take a moment to visit a farmers’ market and read Betty’s blog. You’ll be wearing a smile for the rest of the day!

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Share your thoughts.

jean teller

5/12/2010 12:08:41 PM

And thanks for all the great info, Gretchen! We love farmers' markets around here - eating local is a big topic - and the contest is a great way to promote them. I'm looking forward to the announcement of the winners too! And the blurb about What Gives was a great bonus in this issue of Farm Fresh News.

gretchen hoffman

5/7/2010 10:31:50 AM

Thank you so much for the great post sharing information about the America's Favorite Farmers Markets contest and for passing along the inspiring What Gives story! You are doing great things with your reporting and your website! Cheers - Gretchen Hoffman - AFT

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